Module 3 | PowerPoint | Slide Templates and Layouts

Step 1: Choose a Template/Theme

The first step in creating a PowerPoint presentation is choosing a slide theme or template. The Design tab contains many built-in Themes and color Variants that can be used to change the look of a presentation. Be sure to choose a theme with good contrast and with simple backgrounds.

Choose a PowerPoint template theme with good contrast and with simple backgrounds
Use built-in slide layouts for inclusive reading order and to ensure information on the slides have the correct heading structure and reading order

Selecting Templates

Some PowerPoint templates have low contrast between slide text and the slide background, and a few may also have busy backgrounds that can make text difficult to read. You can search for a template by selecting File > New, and then describing the template in the Search field.

PowerPoint themes

Template Tips

Add the word "accessible" to the search for templates that are tagged as "accessible" by the creator
While this doesn't guarantee accessibility, it increases the likelihood of finding a good template
If in doubt, Microsoft has identified several templates that are optimized for accessibility

Step 2: Select a Slide Layout

The most important part of PowerPoint accessibility is the use of slide "layouts." Microsoft’s built-in slide layouts have correct headings and a correct reading order that screen reading software can detect. Use layouts instead of drawing text boxes manually – the contents of manually added text boxes will be ignored by software such as screen readers.

Choose a slide layout from Home > New Slide, or Home > Layout.

PowerPoint slide layout

Use the Fields Provided

Use only the fields included in the slide layout
Avoid drawing your own text boxes to add more content. If you do add text boxes, make sure to check the slide reading order
It’s okay to leave fields unused, except for the title field

A Unique Title for Each Slide

Each slide should have a unique and descriptive title so that users get the gist of the presentation from the outline view.

Use the Click to add title field on every slide
Other fields may be left empty, but not the title field
Even if the entire slide is covered by an image, include a title behind it

PowerPoint slide titles

Video Tutorial: Selecting Themes and Layouts (2:15)

The following video demonstrates how to select accessible PowerPoint Themes and slide Layouts. Please also find a written guide under the Resources section of this page.

Video Transcript